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The Lie Tree

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About this listen

Winner of the Costa Book of the Year 2015.

Read by actress Emilia Fox, The Lie Tree is a wonderfully evocative and atmospheric novel by Frances Hardinge, award-winning author of Cuckoo Song and Fly By Night.

When Faith's father is found dead under mysterious circumstances, she stumbles upon a strange tree amongst his belongings. Faith, a gifted liar, is amazed to discover that the tree thrives on untruths - and delivers secrets to those who consume its fruit.

Convinced that the tree holds the key to her father's murder, Faith begins to use its powers to try and get to the bottom of the mystery. But webs of lies are far easier made than untangled, and there are truths at the heart of this small island community that are better left buried . . .

'Dark, thrilling, utterly original' – Patrick Ness, author of A Monster Calls

 Historical Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Mysteries & Detectives Mystery Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Science Fiction & Fantasy Scary Exciting Fiction

Critic reviews

The Lie Tree is brilliant: dark, thrilling, utterly original. Everyone should read Frances Hardinge. Everyone. Right now. (Patrick Ness, author of A Monster Calls)
The Lie Tree is a wonder. I can't think of anyone who would not love this story. (Matt Haig, author of The Midnight Library and The Life Impossible)
I loved this book so much. (Lucy Mangan)
Complex and intelligent: a lustrous, delicious romp. (Philip Womack)
All stars
Most relevant
The basic concept of a Lie Tree was OK, but the writing was lazy and repetitive (people kept doing things 'reflexively' and, if they were holding on, you can bet it would be 'for grim death') and the sexism of the time was conveyed with all the subtlety of a rhino trying to tap dance. Shame the editor didn't do a better job of pruning back the overkill and sharpening up the writing.

Interesting concept, let down by patchy execution

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It had to happen - I am now taking recommendations from my 10 years old! She's also an avid Brandon Sanderson fan, so I trusted her and took a punt and downloaded the Lie Tree.

Not what I was expecting, but comfortably enjoyable. Although somewhat predictable, and it did take a while to get going, it's well written, and an unusual story in many respects. The storyline I found most enjoyable was not the Lie Tree plot, rather it was the references to women, and how they weren't really seen / visible in learned society back then. Naturally our heroine doesn't behave as she's expected to, and that's what makes her likable.

It has some dark moments, (but apparently not as dark as some of Frances Hardinge's other works - according to my daughter), but there's also a good moral victory in the end.

It made a change to my usual fare, so glad I listened to it.

Different but enjoyable

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‘The boat moved with nauseous, relentless rhythm, like someone chewing on a rotten tooth.’

This sentence sets the atmosphere for this book with a family on ship going to Vane a fictitious island. Faith at fourteen does not know why they are going but is determined to find out. Her parents exclude her from adult conversation so she eavesdrops and reads private papers.
She adores her father who is distant and standoffish. He is famous for his discovery of the Nephilim Fossil.
Frances Hardinge won the Costa adult and child prize for this work. It is well written giving a magical feel through the descriptive text. Its Victorian Gothic with Faith wishing to follow her father and become a historian. However in 1868 women were seen and not heard. In fact the local doctor is telling everyone how women have inferior intellect to men as they have smaller heads!
Faith had a hunger for knowledge and learning. She despairs of her mother for what she views her use of her womanly ways to entrap men. As the novel progresses Faith can see more of her mother’s strength and determination to secure best outcomes for her family.
This story is in part a murder whodunnit. Equally it explores how lies leave everyone tangled, women’s role and limitations in society, the development of Faith’s character since her father’s death.
I really enjoyed this one and would recommend.

Entertaining and Magical

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What made the experience of listening to The Lie Tree the most enjoyable?

Sustained dramatic tension. Being able to identify with Faith the 14 year old. There was a very tight hold on Victorian culture and its ramifications for the characters.

What other book might you compare The Lie Tree to, and why?

There is a clear reference to Fairy Tales in particular Sleeping Beauty. Faith has to fight her way through darkness (ignorance), complexity and personal danger - these are symbolised by the remarkable growth of the tree.

What does Emilia Fox bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Ah.....this a most interesting question. Emilia does an excellent job but I stopped listening and finished by reading the book because I wanted to give the text my whole attention.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Howard, Faiths little brother, destroys the toy theatre.

Original, Unexpected and Unputdownable.

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I picked up this book reluctantly as part of a Carnegie shadowing group although I had not enjoyed her last book. What a great surprise to find it totally engaging, wonderfully written and a brilliant thriller. This book is so well written it reminds me of Jane Austen with a brilliant back story of women's position in Victorian society. I can easily see how it won the Costa Coffee award and must be a strong contender for the Carnegie medal. A must read.

Perfect in every way

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